Cincinnati, OH

Set amid the hills of the Ohio River in the southwestern corner of Ohio, Cincinnati, is a bustling city, both economically and culturally. Located within minutes of Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana, Cincinnati prides itself on the welcoming riverfront that has been transformed into a tourist attraction.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

This rapidly growing city has attracted several major national and international companies. Ten Fortune 500 companies call Cincinnati home, as well as two Fortune 100 companies. Strong contributing companies include Procter and Gamble, Duke Energy, The Kroger Company, Toyota and The United States Playing Card Company. Other major employers in the area include:

• Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
• University of Cincinnati
• TriHealth Inc.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

With a population of about 332,000, the city maintains ties to its roots in the historical district just outside of Downtown, while its unique riverfront property offers a contemporary, urban feel. Cincinnati is closely intertwined with neighboring Covington, Kentucky, and is often mistaken for being one and the same.

Some of Cincinnati's most popular residential neighborhoods include:

• Hyde Park, an affluent, safe community that is central to the city.
• Terrace Park is one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in the area. It has a storied history that includes forts and Indian battles and was ranked as the No. 1 safest community in Cincy Magazine's crime survey.
• Gaslight Clifton, the area around Ludlow Avenue, is a young, but safe area with a vibrant commercial strip.

FAMILY FUN

Newport on the Levee: One of the nation's top shopping malls/attractions for families, Newport on the Levee is home to dining, shopping and entertainment. Located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati's breathtaking skyline, the Levee has a year-round list of events and goings-on. Outdoor dining on the river and live bands offer a warm and friendly environment for every age group.

Newport Aquarium: More than 7,000 aquatic creatures from all over the world call the Newport Aquarium home. See-through floors, high-tech exhibits, underwater walking tunnels and a touch pool are just a few of the features that set the Newport Aquarium apart from similar facilities. The aquarium is conveniently located at the bustling Newport on the Levee.

Findlay Market: As the oldest continuously operated market in Ohio, the Findlay Market holds a special place in the heart of Cincinnatians. Open year-round, Wednesday to Sunday, the Market features wares from dozens of merchants and vendors. During the warmer months, the Market serves as a farmers' market and a place to find a wide variety of fresh meats, seafood and produce. The large, diverse crowds enjoy street performers and other special events in the spring and summer.

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal: More than 1 million people visit this cultural and research-based facility every year. The Museum Center houses the Cincinnati History Museum, the Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theatre, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. The center averages around 700 events and productions per year.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Cincinnati offers a wide variety of cultural activities and establishments:

• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
• Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center
• Cincinnati Arts Museum
• Contemporary Arts Center

More than 20 galleries in Cincinnati's downtown area open their doors for Final Fridays on the last Friday of every month to highlight local artisans. Other cultural events include The Cincinnati Pops, Winter Blues Fest, and Appalachian Culture Fest. Cincinnati also attracts a continuous influx of diverse art exhibits, which have included "Toys Through Time," "Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War," "China Design Now," and "Carlos Amorales." Regularly scheduled festivals and events to promote the cultural diversity of the community are widespread and continuously growing.

Cincinnati has a large sports fan base centered on its professional and minor league teams:

• Baseball: Cincinnati Reds
• Football: Cincinnati Bengals
• Indoor Football: Cincinnati Marshals
• Hockey: Cincinnati Cyclones

Due to the many sports teams, the city has large venues to accommodate the sporting events. Paul Brown Stadium is the local football stadium, and the Great American Ballpark is the Cincinnati Reds' home field.

EDUCATION

Cincinnati offers a wide variety of colleges and universities. Students can find small institutions with enrollments of fewer than 200 students, such as Chatfield College, as well as larger schools, such as the University of Cincinnati, that have student populations of more than 10,000. Specialized institutions such as the Athenaeum of Ohio, Hebrew Union College and the Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science can also be found within the Cincinnati city limits.

EVENTS

Cincinnati Wine Festival: Held annually, the Wine Festival is a culinary experience that offers a mix of wines, food and music; more than 130 wineries are featured at this event.

Holiday Fest: The local water park transforms into a winter wonderland, geared to the whole family. Holiday lights, ice-skating and a live nativity scene bring a sense of fun to the colder months on the river.

Cincinnati May Festival: The May Festival is the single, oldest, continuous choral festival in the Western Hemisphere. Started in 1873, the festival consists of a concert series that includes, among many others, Cincinnati's own symphony orchestra.